WNBA Power Rankings: Lynx, Liberty navigate injuries with reinforcements
The Atlanta Dream was seventh in the Power Rankings of the WNBA two weeks ago, but it has remained enraged and consistent and is now second.
Just five weeks after the end of the regular season, the race for the WNBA playoffs is in full swing and the two teams that lead the classification of the league deal with obstacles: both the Minnesota Lynx like him New York Liberty They face spending time without their stars while they integrate new players.
Napheesa Collierof Minnesota and a favorite to conquer the MVP, at least two weeks will be lost due to a right ankle sprain, although Lynx is considered lucky that it has not suffered important damage and can afford to wear 5.5 games of advantage over the Liberty while recovering. The Lynx welcomes Dijonai Carringtonwhom they acquired from the Dallas Wings In an exchange last weekend, hoping that it will contribute a level to defense, provide more depth in wings and provide a more veteran presence with extensive experience in playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Liberty is spending trouble without Breanna Stewartlosing the first four games without her before getting a victory in Connecticut Sunday. The good news for New York is that Emma Meesseman He debuted the season with the defending champions after signing as a free agent in July.
The Lynx and the Liberty are not the only teams that deal with injuries, which makes this postseason race even more interesting.
Power Rankings previous: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 (in English) | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11
1. Minnesota Lynx (24-5)
PREVIOUS RANKING: 1
Next 7 days: @ Sea (August 5), vs. Was (August 8), @ ny (August 10)
He Minnesota Lynx He beat New York for 100-93 in the first of four clashes between the teams for a period of three weeks, but the final score does not reflect the great advantage that the Minnesota Lynx Upon reaching the final minutes, leading 92-77 before allowing the Liberty to score 11 consecutive points to be a single digit again.
He Minnesota Lynx He continued with the greatest victory at home in the history of the WNBA, surpassing aces for 53 points on Saturday. Napheesa Collier suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter of that party, so now the Minnesota Lynx You must face at least the next two weeks without the favorite to the MVP.
2. Atlanta Dream (18-11)
PREVIOUS RANKING: 3
Next 7 days: @ Chi (August 7), @ phx (August 10)
He Atlanta Dream Keep climbing positions in the classification after obtaining victories about Dallas, Phoenix and Washington last week. The most impressive is that the Atlanta Dream He succeeded without Rhyne Howardwho continues to recover from a knee injury, and Brittney Grinerwho lost two of those games due to a neck injury. Jordin Canada A disease was also lost.
Yes Atlanta Dream manages to recover (and stay) healthy, it could be a pleasant surprise at the top of the classification as we move towards the postseason.
3. New York Liberty (18-10)
PREVIOUS RANKING: 2
Next 7 days: vs. DAL (August 5), @ Dal (August 8), vs. Min (August 10)
Yeah, Emma Meesseman He debuted, while Sabrina ionc He scored 36 points, his maximum of the season, in Sunday’s victory by 87-78 over Connecticutbreaking a streak of four losses. However, that was the only positive point for New York Liberty In the last seven days. Otherwise, the New York Liberty lost against that same team of Sun (which holds the worst record of the league) and against the Lynx in the first of four revenge from the final past earlier.
With teams like Atlanta and Indiana finding its rhythm despite losing key players, it does not seem that the New York Liberty will have the impulse to get out of your hole until Breanna Stewart, Kennedy Burke and NYARA SABALY Return.
4. Indiana Fever (17-12)
PREVIOUS RANKING: 5
Next 7 days: @ La (August 5), @ phx (August 7), vs. Chi (August 9)
Winners of five consecutive games, including six -point victories over the Mercury and the Stormand a 10 -point victory over the Wings During the past week, the Indiana Fever He is going through the longest active winning streak of the league and the longest in the franchise since 2015. He is doing it without Caitlin Clarkwho continues to recover from a distension in the right groin while Kelsey Mitchell and Aari McDonald keep the offensive afloat in the absence of Clark.
5. Phoenix Mercury (17-11)
PREVIOUS RANKING: 4
Next 7 days: vs. With (August 5), vs. IND (August 7), vs. ATL (August 10)
He Phoenix Mercury lost two crucial games for classification – continues Indiana And then against Atlanta– Before ensuring his only victory last week against Chicago Sunday to close a five -game tour as a visitor. He Phoenix Mercury Now he hopes to resume the course with a series of four games at home that begins on Tuesday against him Sunthe worst team in the league.
6. Seattle Storm (16-13)
PREVIOUS RANKING: 6
Next 7 days: vs. Min (August 5), @ LV (August 7), @ la (August 10)
He Seattle Storm He recovers from two heartbreaking losses: an exciting game of 108-106 in double extension against Los Angeles and a 78-74 defeat against Indiana. He Seattle Storm continues to deal with its irregularity, without spuning more than two consecutive victories since mid -July, and its calendar does not improve from now on: the Seattle Storm It has one of the most difficult calendars of the League.
7. Los Angeles Sparks (12-15)
PREVIOUS RANKING: 7
Next 7 days: vs. IND (August 5), vs. With (August 7), @ gs (August 9), vs. Sea (August 10)
The The sparks They received back Cameron Brink Last week after the last 13 months was lost due to a breakage of the anterior cross ligament. The second general selection of the 2024 Draft will take time to recover the rhythm, but played 26 minutes with 12 points, seven rebounds and three plugs between the defeat last Tuesday by 89-74 against the ACES and Friday’s victory for 108-106 in double extension over the Storm.
8. Las Vegas Aces (15-14)
PREVIOUS RANKING: 8
Next 7 days: @ GS (August 6), vs. Sea (August 8), vs. With (August 10)
It’s hard to know what to think about Las Vegas Aces. After getting a overwhelming 89-74 victory in Los Angeles, Las Vegas Aces they registered the greatest increase in the difference of points between matches, surpassing Golden State by 24 after losing Minnesota by 53.
Golden State Valkyries (14-14)
PREVIOUS RANKING: 10
Next 7 days: vs. LV (August 6), vs. LA (August 9), vs. With (August 11)
The Golden State Valkyries They achieved victories in Atlanta, Washington and Chicago last week before losing Las Vegas for 24 points, which places Golden State Valkyries right in .500. Availability is its biggest problem for the final stretch of the regular season: Kayla Thornton will be discharged for the rest of the year, while Monique Billings It will be on low at least three weeks due to a right ankle injury.
10. Washington Mystics (13-15)
PREVIOUS RANKING: 9
Next 7 days: @ Chi (August 5), @ min (August 8), @ dal (August 10)
After beating to Chicagothe Washington Mystics They lost two games against Atlanta and Golden State. The Washington Mystics They are the team to be taken into account while the WNBA is approaching the time deadline of August 7: AM850 reported that the team was in conversations for a possible transfer of Aaliyah Edwardswhile Stefanie Dolsson and Brittney Sykes They would be a good option if the Washington Mystics They would like to undertake full reconstruction.
11. Dallas Wings (8-21)
PREVIOUS RANKING: 11
Next 7 days: @ NY (August 5), vs. NY (August 8), vs. Was (August 10)
The Dallas Wings They were close to beating Atlanta As visitors, but finally lost 88-85. Then, on Friday, they lost the game at home against Indiana by 88-78. The Dallas Wings They also lost to Dijonai Carringtonwho leaves Minnesota in an exchange that sends to Diamond Miller, Karlie Samuelson and a second round of the 2027 draft to Dallas.
12. Chicago Sky (7-21)
PREVIOUS RANKING: 12
Next 7 days: vs. Was (August 5), vs. ATL (August 7), @ Ind (August 9)
The streak of defeats of the Chicago Sky It already reaches eight games. Angel Reese He returned from a back injury that left her out of play for two games to score 22 points and 13 rebounds in the defeat last Tuesday by 103-86 against Washingtonbut the next two meetings were lost due to the same ailment. The All-Star is now considered a day to day. Ariel Atkins and Hailey van Lith games were also lost last week, leaving the Chicago Sky With little personal, looking for answers.
13. Connecticut Sun (5-22)
PREVIOUS RANKING: 13
Next 7 days: @ Phx (August 5), @ la (August 7), @ LV (August 10), @ gs (August 11)
He Connecticut Sun divided matches with the Liberty Last week, winning the first by 16 points and losing the second for nine. But while victory was a brilliant point, it is impossible to say that the team has overcome the stage.
The most important story surrounding the Connecticut Sun It is an imminent sale that could transfer the franchise to Boston in 2027. While the agreement is not yet closed, a new investment could give the team some life in the coming years.
